The event commenced with the inauguration of the ‘Global Summit: Future Ready India @2047’, where Chandigarh University Higher Management, along with delegates from India and abroad, formally launched Urban Symphony 2026. The conclave was graced by distinguished dignitaries including Chief Guest Dr Namrita Kalsi, Chief Architect, HMRTC (Delhi), Dr Karan Avtar Singh, former Chief Secretary, Punjab, Guest of Honour Dr Shikha Jain, Director DRONAH (Development and Research Organization for Nature, Arts, and Heritage), Vertica Dvivedi, Entrepreneur and Founder, The Wade Asia, Prof (Dr) Dorota Kamrowska Zaluska, Department of Urban Design and Regional Planning, Gdansk University of Technology (Poland), Prof (Dr) Eliana Cangelli, Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), Manmohan Khanna, Chairman-IIID and IIA Chandigarh, Prof (Dr) Valerio Font, Sapienza University of Rome, Prof (Dr) Michele Conteduca, Sapienza University of Rome, SD Sharma, Principal Architect in SD Sharma & Associates, Chandigarh University Vice Chancellor Raviraja N Seetharam, Pro Vice Chancellor VR Raghuveer, and Dr Prabhjot Kaur, Director, IEE Lifts Pvt. Ltd.
Chandigarh University Vice Chancellor Raviraja N Seetharam stated that the inaugural day of Urban Symphony 2026 witnessed the ‘Global Summit: Future Ready India @2047’ bringing together global experts to deliberate on resilient urban systems, sustainable infrastructure, heritage-sensitive development, and future-oriented planning frameworks. He further highlighted that the ‘Round Table Conference’, a Think Tank initiative for managing peri-urban growth and challenges, bridged academia and professional practice, encouraged thematic deliberations, facilitated policy-practice dialogue, and generated action-oriented outcomes on the future of cities.
Under a studio-based research project conducted by students of the University Institute of Architecture at Chandigarh University, discussions during the ‘Round Table Conference’ focused on the changing spatial dynamics along the NH-05 and Bharatmala Road (NH205A) corridor. The round table concluded with a resolution that a full impact assessment must be an integral part of any development program to ensure sustainable, inclusive, and coordinated urban development. The outcomes of Urban Symphony 2026 are expected to contribute to ongoing policy discussions and inform future planning frameworks for peri-urban development in India.
During the conclave, Chandigarh University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Network of People of Construction (NPC) to bridge the industry-academia gap. The agreement aims to facilitate industry exposure, internship opportunities, skill development initiatives, and mentorship through expert lectures and workshops for CU students.
In her keynote address, Dr Namrita Kalsi, Chief Architect, Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation Ltd (Gurugram Metro Rail Limited), presented the challenges faced by urban planners in projects such as Metro Rail. She emphasized that Metro is no longer a standalone infrastructure project but a comprehensive city development initiative. She noted the complexities involved in coordinating with multiple city authorities and managing utilities such as gas pipelines, sewerage lines, water lines, and data cables, along with compliance with statutory norms.
Dr Karan Avtar Singh highlighted the economic transformation driven by large infrastructure projects and advocated for the introduction of a betterment levy. He explained that land values increase significantly along highways and expressways over time, and beneficiaries of such growth should contribute through taxation to compensate government expenditure incurred during project implementation.
Dr Eliana Cangelli underscored the need for inclusive, accessible, and resilient urban environments that address climate change, social inequalities, and housing challenges. She emphasized that architects must act not only as designers but also as critical thinkers and agents of change who interpret complexity and mediate across scales and stakeholders.
Prof (Dr) Dorota Kamrowska Zaluska emphasized the role of AI-based tools in modern urban planning, stating that such technologies enable the analysis of large data sets to address challenges related to climate change, adaptation, and natural disasters while advancing sustainability, resilience, and equity.
Dr Shikha Jain highlighted the pressures of rapid urbanization on historic cities such as Jaipur and Chandigarh. She noted that increasing populations have strained natural resources originally integrated into city planning and stressed the importance of learning from historical planning approaches to restore sustainability.
Chandigarh University, a NAAC A+ Grade and QS World Ranked institution, is an autonomous educational institution approved by UGC and located near Chandigarh in Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to receive an A+ Grade by NAAC. The university offers more than 109 undergraduate and postgraduate programs across engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and other disciplines, and has been recognized as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.
Urban Symphony 2026 concluded as a significant platform for global dialogue, policy innovation, and academic-industry collaboration, reinforcing its role in shaping resilient and future-ready urban development frameworks for India @2047.
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